While we figured audiences would get a kick out of the huge smooch she planted on Derek Hough during their salsa (the studio audience certainly loved it), feedback was mixed—some agreed with Bruno Tonioli and wanted to join in, while others agreed with Carrie Ann Inaba and thought it was a cheap trick.

But when it came down to it, was Maria and Derek's public lip-lock an elimination-worthy offense?

And they were asked back by the judges for an encore, during which they proceeded to eschew each other's affections for those of Carrie Ann and Bruno.

Not so beloved were Gavin DeGraw (he predicted as much) and Karina Smirnoff and, much more surprisingly, Jaleel White and Kym Johnson, making them fodder for the series' first-ever dance duel. So, whose cha-cha was a life-saver?

"We have to decide, it's going to be difficult," Bruno said—although it totally wasn't. The judges were unanimous in saving Jaleel and Kym, meaning no repeat championship for Karina.

So far, it's been amazing just being a part of the show," Gavin said. "My family got to have a great time, we reunited in a lot of ways...Having a great mentor and getting to reach out and know all these amazing people who are part of this show, it's been awesome."

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